Red Cross Says Nearly Half of Afghanistan’s Population Is Needing Aid in 2025

Nearly half of Afghanistan’s population will need humanitarian assistance in 2025, the Red Cross said, warning that conflict, poverty, climate shocks and mass returns are worsening conditions.

Afghanistan remains gripped by one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises, with nearly half of its population expected to depend on aid in 2025, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned.

In a report released on Monday, the ICRC said about 22.9 million people will need humanitarian assistance next year, reflecting the deepening impact of decades of war, economic collapse and recurring natural disasters.

The organisation said widespread unemployment, the erosion of livelihoods and limited access to healthcare have sharply worsened living conditions, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas.

According to the report, the crisis is hitting the most vulnerable hardest, including malnourished children, elderly people, persons with disabilities, female-headed households and daily wage labourers.

Climate-related shocks such as earthquakes, droughts and floods are compounding the emergency, while the large-scale return of migrants from Pakistan and Iran is placing additional strain on fragile communities.

The ICRC said the influx of returnees is increasing pressure on essential services, including healthcare, water supply, food systems and shelter, especially in border provinces already struggling to cope.

In response, the ICRC said it is expanding emergency relief, healthcare support, livelihood assistance, mine victim services, water and electricity projects, prison programmes and aid for displaced people and returnees, while urging sustained international support.

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